Croeso eto, Michael. I'm so glad you made it. This is a wonderful forum, with a great arrangement and friendly members. You'll find out for yourself soon. How's your Welsh learning going? I'm still searching for a good material. Most of us here are learning on our own so we can understand the difficuilties. We share tips as well as joys and sorrows.

Hello and welcome. Always good to have a new member and Welsh learner, and you're not the only Aussie here though Austaff hasn't been around as often lately.

As Gwen said, this is a great place to learn and exchange ideas and people here are quite friendly and remarkably diverse. Only one of the regs here is actually in Wales. The rest of us are self studying distance learners for want of a better title.

You've come to the right place, we're happy to support and learn from you. Let us know what resources you're using and/or what you're looking for in resources.

Croeso to the forum we all hope that you will stay and join in with us on the other forums

I too live in Australia but on the other side to you Queenslander. I was also born in Wales South Wales, I have been learning welsh for a year now and am slowly begining to understand whats being written and said but it will be a long time before I am fluent. As with the others we are learning through web pages etc.

Gwen is our Bard as she had a mention for the story she sent to the Japan eisteddfod.

Siarls is our mentor but he seems to have gone missing at ther mo probably in the middle of exams in uni

Awstaff, I'm no bard at all! I got a mention because mine was the only entry from overseas, I'm sure. I thought you and Michael could get together to practice... Wel, at least you are in the same country!

Hi Gwenynen and AustaffAs Austaff will testify Oz is a big country and Austaff is further from me than I am from Singapore. But at least we are in the same country but as for time zones; now that is different matter and one of great debate in my state!. However I am glad to be here and I happy to converse with anybody.

I would like (don’t have time today) to write (try) my messages in Welsh but I believe the convention here is to translate into English as well which is OK.

As for my background I am a little bit of a puzzle as the intention of my parents was for me to be born in Wales but as circumstance had it (couldn't wait) I was born on the other side of the border but basically without that aberration I come from a village called “Cwm” which is near Ebbw Vale. Is that close to where you come from Austaff?

So I am English and Welsh and if you go back two generations Irish also!

As for my learning of Welsh; it is progressing well I think. I am about half way through both the original catchphrase course and The Lloyds on the BBC and nearly finished a basic course I am doing with Rosetta Stone software. I listen to the spoken word via the BBC especially the news as much as possible and I am also reading as best I can the book Cysgod yn y Coed and I am making progress which is exciting.

Now I am very interested in the Eisteddfod in Japan and your contribution Gwenynen!

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If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.if you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heartNelson Mandela

Michael, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying Cysgod yn y Coed. I think it's one of the best novels for learners. Tell us which story you like best when you're done.

They haven't updated the website for St. David's Society in Japan since last year! I got all the info about the eisteddfod by e-mail. I posted my composition in the Beginner's Welsh thread (in Welsh section.) There're mistakes, though!

I lived in N.Wales in the 70s in the Clwyd Valley,now resident in the IoM,my parents still live in Ruthin and have many friends there (I have always felt that I was a Celt because although born in London I have had my happiest times in the Celtic Nations and because there is Scots blood on Mums side of the family)

Hello! I'm a Southern American with nearly all my ancestors coming across the water from England, Scotland and Wales. My maiden name is Edwards and is courtesy of a Welsh immigrant ancestor. I've also got Evans, Middleton, and Griffiths ancestors in the 18thC and early 19thC from Welsh populated areas of SC to name a few more.

I've really enjoyed watching the Cardiff area since getting hooked on Series 1 of Torchwood. Must be some Welsh traces of DNA saying "Hey, there's a familiar place" although very modernized now! But I hope to visit Wales for its history as well one day.